Research and Report Writing Consultancy

Background

SUDIA (Sudanese Development Initiative) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization working for peace, development, and good governance in Sudan. The organization works with a broad cross-section of actors and stakeholders implementing programs and providing services that center around peacebuilding and community security, natural resource management and environmental conservation, democracy, and human rights promotion.

As part of its democracy and human rights programming SUDIA has been working to promote a conducive and enabling environment for civil society and the media in the Sudan. Since 2017, the organization has been running the Sudan Civic Space Monitor, a collaborative, online platform that monitors and provides reports and alerts on issues related to civic space in the country. The Sudan Civic Space Monitor is being complimented with a Sudan Civic Space Index (SCSI) – a report that will provide a measure and comprehensive assessment of the civic space in the country annually. The SCSI will be produced annually and will serve to track civic space over the years as well as a tool for advocacy and engaging with policy and decision-makers.

The SCSI is based on a methodology designed to strike a balance between accommodating data from a quantitative perspective with the analytical rigor provided through more qualitative methods. The CSCI report will draw on multiple data sets and sources of information, these include, (i) a nationwide experience-based survey, (ii) regional focus group discussions, (iii) analytical reports on civic space (produced quarterly by the Sudan Civic Space Monitor), and (iv) background desk research. The scope of the SCSI covers four pillars of civic space that are fundamental prerequisites to an open, vibrant, and progressive democratic society – Freedom of Information and expression, freedom of assembly and association, non-discrimination and inclusion and citizen participation.

In 2020, SUDIA carried out the nationwide experience-based survey and convened focus groups discussions across Sudan six different regions. Analytical reports on civic space have also been produced and published every quarter on the Civic Space Monitor. SUDIA is now looking for a research consultant to lead the drafting of the Sudan Civic Space Index Report for 2020.

Scope of Work

Working closely with the Sudan Civic Space team, the consultant will lead the writing of the Sudan Civic Space Index Report for 2020. More specifically, he/she will –

1. Carry out desk-based research on the existence and quality of state institutions, rules, and procedures, as well as the practices, results, and impact of these on each of the four pillars of civic space that are being measured and draft a synthesis of the findings (max. 5 pages)
2. Analyze data and information collected from the (i) a nationwide experience-based survey, (ii) regional focus group discussions, (iii) analytical reports on civic space and provide a summary and analysis of the findings (max. 10 pages).
3. Draw concise and clear conclusions and recommendations for improvement across each of the four pillars (max. 5 pages)
4. Write an executive summary that pulls together the first three parts (max. 5 pages)
5. Compile the draft Sudan Civic Space Index report for 2020 and present it to an expert panel of peer reviewers to solicit their input/recommendations and produce a final version of the report.

Deliverables and estimated delivery timeframe

1. Synthesis report from desktop research – 3 weeks from contract signing date
2. Report on analysis of data and information collected – 6 weeks from contract signing date
3. Document with conclusions and recommendations – 8 weeks from contract signing date
4. Draft report with executive summary that pulls together the first three components – 9 weeks from contract signing date
5. Final report – 10 weeks from contract signing date

Qualifications – Education, Experience and Language

• Advanced university degree in Development studies, Social Sciences, law, or a related field.
• Excellent research and analytical and skills
• English fluency is required.
• Good Arabic reading and comprehension ability (a considerable amount of the data/information is in Arabic)
• Good communication and presentation skills.

Bonus

• Experience in carrying out research in Sudan in similar related fields
• Professional background in human rights, CSO advocacy and working with CSOs.